Asia-Pacific ambassadors in Belgium touch upon East Sea issue

The recent developments in the East Sea was one of the topics for
discussion at a meeting between ambassadors from the Asia-Pacific region
in Belgium on June 17.

The regular event was chaired by the
Vietnamese Embassy to update participants with the latest information
on the regional situation and discuss measures for wider multilateral
cooperation.

Vietnamese Ambassador Pham Sanh Chau briefed the
diplomats on the fresh developments relating to China’s illegal
placement of the drilling rig Haiyang Shiyou - 981 in Vietnam’s
continental shelf, which has gone against the 1982 United Nations
Convention on the Law of the Sea (UNCLOS) and the Declaration on the
Conduct of Parties in the East Sea that China signed with ASEAN.

Ambassadors expressed their deep concerns over the tension in the
East Sea and hoped all parties concerned will settle the disputes though
peaceful means in line with international law, to ensure security and
safety of navigation in the region.

Belgium’s Deputy Prime
Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Didier Reynders said he hopes
both sides will pursue negotiations to seek the optimal solutions to the
issue.

Since early May, China has illegally operated the rig
and a large fleet of armed vessels, military ships and aircraft in
Vietnam’s waters.

According to
the Vietnam Fisheries Surveillance force, China on June 17 maintained
136 ships, including five battleships, surrounding the rig. They kept on
circling and standing ready to ram Vietnamese vessels, while
approaching them as close as 30 metres.-VNA